Less than 24 hours from the kickoff of the 2026 HBCU Legacy Bowl, we now who was named the Black College Football Player of the Year from the 2025 HBCU football season.
Virginia Union star running back Curtis Allen adds yet another award to his remarkable collection, being selected as the recipient of the Deacon Jones trophy.
Allen becomes the third running back to ever win the award, as well as the third Division II player to do so.
Meanwhile, Virginia Union becomes the third school win the award in consecutive years and the first to do so with two different players (Jada Byers).
The Panthers running back’s historic 2025 season saw him set a new CIAA record, rushing for 2,409 yards (led Division II) on 297 attempts and scoring 30 touchdowns (led Division II).
This included rushing for 100 yards and scoring a touchdown in every game, highlighted by a record-setting performance against Bluefield State in which he compiled 369 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
In addition to being named the CIAA Offensive Player of the Year and a Division II All-American, Allen became the first HBCU player to win the Harlon Hill trophy (Division II equivalent of the Heisman trophy).
The Deacon Jones trophy winner will now set his eyes on a career in the pros, adding his name to the list of Virginia Union players who have made it to the next level.
Only 17 former Virginia Union stars have played a season in the NFL, with offensive lineman Herbert Scott being the only one to make a Pro Bowl.
Scouting reports that Allen could be a potential diamond in the rough, potentially being on some NFL teams’ radar with a need at the position.
According to ESPN College Football analyst Jordan Reid, Allen is a player that people should have their eye on, “especially for teams looking to add a determined runner to their running back committee.”
